Global Knowledge: ISACA Certifications Command High Salaries

Of all the certifications represented annually in the Global Knowledge IT Skills and Salary Report, ISACA is more prominent in our top-paying certifications list than any others. This year, ISACA occupies five spots in the top 20, including three in the top six worldwide.

ISACA is associated with two important truths for business technology professionals:

Enhancing a wide range of careers

High salaries

ISACA’s certifications in cybersecurity and governance produce the highest salaries. This is in line with our overall salary data, as governance ranks second and security fifth in average global salaries by category.

Here’s a list of the five top-paying ISACA certifications for 2018 (average salaries are for North America):

Average salary: $117,544
CGEIT is the top-paying certification in the United States and ranks third worldwide ($92,821). Its North American salary is 34% higher than the average for all certified professionals. This certification is designed for individuals who manage, advise or provide assurance services around enterprise IT governance.

Tenure is among the reasons CGEIT-certified professionals typically have higher salaries. To take the exam, an individual needs at least five years of experience in at least three of the five domains the certification covers, including at least one year in the IT governance framework area.

Average salary: $107,968
CRISC ranks sixth in North America and second worldwide in average salary. Its average salary is 23% higher than the average for certified professionals. CRISC is a risk management and security credential designed for IT professionals, project managers and others whose job it is to identify and manage IT and business risks through information systems controls.

Globally, six security certifications made our top-20 list, with CRISC trailing only CISSP in average salary. Cybersecurity positions in general pay well, with the average among North American respondents at $101,083, which is more than $13,000 above the average.

Average salary: $105,926
CISM ranks seventh in North American salary and sixth globally. It’s aimed at information security management professionals, focusing on security strategy and assessing the systems and policies in place. To take the exam, certification candidates are required to have at least five years of experience in IS, with at least three as a security manager.

It’s now common that many government agencies require their IS and IT professionals to have a CISM certification.

Average salary: $102,112
This premier governance credential has a North American salary that tops $100,000 and a worldwide salary that ranks 11th overall ($77,300). COBIT 5 provides a comprehensive framework that assists enterprises in achieving their objectives for the governance and management of enterprise IT.

ISACA’s governance credentials (COBIT 5 Foundation and CGEIT) are two main reasons why governance certifications have the second highest average salary globally ($84,420).

Average salary: $97,117
CISA ranks 13th in the US and globally in average salary. It’s also the most popular certification amongst our survey respondents, with 1,923 CISA-certified professionals. The CISA is perfect for individuals whose job responsibilities include auditing, monitoring, controlling and assessing IT and business systems. The exam tests the ability to manage vulnerabilities.

Originating in 1978 and now in its 40th year, CISA is ISACA’s oldest certification. It requires at least five years of experience in information systems auditing, control or security.